Violent crime in St Lucia on the rise – Archbishop issues call to action

By Kaelanne Jordan

mediarelations.camsel@catholictt.org

Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries has issued a bold call to action in the face of rising crime and violence in St Lucia, outlining three practical steps that every citizen can take to help restore peace and unity to the nation.

In a message delivered to the people of St Lucia, Archbishop Malzaire urged individuals to take responsibility for their actions and actively contribute to the fight against violence. His three-step plan is simple, yet powerful:

1. Control Your Anger: “When you are upset, take a breath. Walk away from the situation. Cooler heads lead to better outcomes.”
2. Seek Peace: “Learn and practise ways to resolve conflicts without violence. Encourage your friends to do the same.”
3. Be Accountable: “Take responsibility for your actions and hold others accountable too, including our leaders.”

The Archbishop’s appeal comes at a time when the nation is grappling with an alarming increase in violent crime, including gun violence and gang-related incidents.

St Lucia Times has stated that The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has solved 22 murders this year, as well as six that occurred last year.

“According to the information, Saint Lucia experienced a spike in serious crime from January 1 to October 31, 2024, compared to 2023. Serious crime increased from 1,643 cases in 2023 to 1699 cases in 2024,” the news source said.

Archbishop Malzaire highlighted that this “growing” problems of crime and violence in St Lucia “didn’t start overnight”. He commented, “It has been building up from years of ignoring the signs and letting anger and hatred grow.”

The impact of these crimes, he observed, has been felt deeply in families and communities across St Lucia, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss and trauma caused by these senseless acts of violence.

“We have two choices: to follow the way of Cain, who chose harm, or to follow the way of Christ who sacrificed His life to show us love,” Archbishop Malzaire said, urging St Lucians to treat others with “kindness and respect”.

Despite the challenges, the Archbishop called on the nation not to lose hope.

“No matter how hard things get, we cannot lose hope. This is our St Lucia, and we have the power and the responsibility to make it better,” he said.

Archbishop Malzaire acknowledged that it is easy to feel discouraged when citizens hear about the senseless acts of violence every day.

He reminded St Lucians of St John Paul II’s message: “Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say.”

In addition to his call for personal action, Archbishop Malzaire delved deeper into the causes of violence, urging the country to confront the broader societal issues that perpetuate crime.

Drawing on St John Paul II’s Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (the social concerns of the Church), he spoke of the “structures of sin” that hinder the development of a just society. These include the widespread pursuit of profit at all costs and the abuse of power for personal gain, which he believes have contributed to the nation’s current crisis.

“Just as Christ drove out the money changers from the temple, we too must eliminate corruption. Our efforts must be grounded in truth, justice and charity…” the Archbishop said.

Archbishop Malzaire called on leaders in government, law enforcement, business, and civil society to take responsibility for their roles in addressing these issues.

He announced a new initiative from the Catholic Church aimed at supporting families affected by violence, ‘Angels of Comfort’.

“We hope to involve the entire Christian community in this mission because supporting each other is a central part of our faith,” Archbishop Malzaire said.

He concluded his message reminding citizens that the responsibility for creating a safer society is shared by all, from “youth to elder”, and urged citizens to build St Lucia as a place of peace and fairness, grounded in the values of justice, truth, and love.